‘[Anthony Kim] Made 10 Birdies’: Veteran Caddie Drops Major Bombshell Days Before LIV Golf Jeddah

Does Anthony Kim still have it? Will he be able to live up to the hype? Or will the myth bust? There are already concerns about how sharp Anthony Kim will be when he tees up at LIV Golf Jeddah within a week. Some fans, who grew up watching the three-time PGA Tour winner, claimed it might just bust the bubble and dent his cult status. But an insider reveals that Kim doesn’t lack the chops that almost made him the next ‘Tiger Woods’ of the era.

Kip Henley, who had caddied for Vijay Singh and Grayson Murray, among others, revealed that Kim recently nailed ten birdies in a money match. The veteran bagman tweeted, “I do know this ! Not long ago in a money game Anthony Kim made 10 birdies in a gamble game. Also a great deal of playing Tour golf is the ability to play “your” game on the biggest stage. He already knows he can do that. So there’s those things.”

Speaking of birdies, the three-time PGA Tour winner made a record 11 birdies in his second round at the 2009 Masters. His last outing came at the 2012 Wells Fargo Championship, from which he withdrew after tearing his Achilles tendon. Henley’s comments come as the world is gearing up for Kim’s return to the greens after twelve years.

Golf Channel’s Rex Hoggard reported that multiple insider sources confirmed Anthony Kim will tee up at the LIV Golf Jeddah as a wildcard entry. Greg Norman, too, fueled the speculation and dropped a bombshell teaser from his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, captioning, “The world has seen it in the past and now it is an honour as Commissioner of LIV Golf to give the opportunity for this star to be reborn. Welcome back and to the LIV Golf family mate. The golf world has missed you.”

LIV Golf has introduced two wildcard positions this season as well as a new team headed by Jon Rahm. Wildcard entrants can compete for individual prize money and points at each event without being part of any team. Hudson Swafford is one of the wildcard entrants this season. Laurie Canter was the second wildcard pick at LIV Golf Las Vegas. 

But heading to Jeddah, reportedly, it will be Anthony Kim who will take Canter’s place. If Kim can play well throughout the season and come within the top 24 in the individual standings at the end of the season, a guaranteed spot on the 2025 roster awaits him. Even without a top 24 spot, Kim has a chance to earn a significant amount of money, as Charl Schwartzel earned $50,000 after tying for the 53rd spot in Las Vegas. But that’s not all, of course. Some insights into the contract sum have also come to the forefront. 

How much Anthony Kim will earn upfront?

Nuclr Golf reported that Kim stands to gain around $8 million from his LIV golf contract. “Anthony Kim is believed to be receiving a $5-$7.5M USD signing bonus from LIV Golf, per @LIVGolfUpdates,” tweeted the X handle. Interestingly, coupled with the sum he is assured to gain at each event, this might cover his $10 million insurance policy. Reportedly, Kim has already taken a portion of that and has to return the amount, if not in full, if he plays any competitive game. 

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Kim suffered a disastrous Achilles tendon and subsequent injuries that required multiple surgeries. Speaking to the Associated Press in 2015, the three-time PGA Tour winner said, “

There have been rumors about his potential return every few years since then. However, only recently has everything seemed to be coming into order. LIV Golf Jeddah tees off on March 1 at the Royal Greens Country & Golf Club. Brooks Koepka would return as the defending champion, eyeing a three-peat. But undoubtedly, all eyes would be on Anthony Kim.

Read More: Anthony Kim’s Rumors Make Fans Feisty as LIV Golf Comeback Looks Imminent